Quandry..the value of a 300 TDT - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MAF · #1 02-21-2007, 02:28 AM

Hi!! This is probably one of the wierdest posts I have made, but I'm not sure what to do.
I bought a 300 Biodiesel TDT at a charity auction.It had rust, a plexiglass rear hatch window, and the dudes at the auction told me it was siezed,possibly because of the starter.(?????)
I dropped in a battery, cranked it a few times, and it starts up, and purrs like a kitten.It even smelled good!!! (Exhaust)
I dropped it in gear, and it rocked forward, but would not go.Checked the fluid, (about 2 quarts low), stopped everything, went to the MZB dealer, and got the proper Mobil synthetic balm of Gilead, went back and poured it in.
I've got strong reverse , but no forward.
Took it to an inexpensive shop, run by a Benz mechanic from Mexico city, with limited english. but that's ok, I have limited spanish.
Asked him to look for an inexpensive remedy.
Left things in his hands, didn't hear back.
I just received a letter from the state , stating that my abandoned vehicle had been impounded.
I know I can sue, I know I can beat him up,but what is the car worth?
How much do I want to spend to get it back?Do I want to get it back?
Is a real Biodiesel TDT, with 210,000 miles, worth retrieving?
This car came from Boulder, and says Biodiesel , in Mercedes script, on the rear hatch.It probably ran on the stuff all its' life.
Is this a valuable car?Are the parts valuable?What should I do.
And no, I am not going to go after the guy, in any way, that's not my style.Apprecieate any advice, opinions, etc. Mark the Noob.

#2 02-21-2007, 02:55 AM

Form your description, I would say it's not worth more than $600-800.

IMHO the biodiesel mark cut's it's value in half, ESPECIALLY from Boulder.

Make the shop owner pay the impound fee. You left the car in his care, it was his responsibility to fix it and return it to you in a better condition than he received it.

t walgamuth · #3 02-21-2007, 05:09 AM

i am guessing maybe the shop owner has gone back to mexico city and abandoned his shop.

getting it out of impound shouldn't cost all that much, should it? cost of towing?

tom w

TerryS · #4 02-21-2007, 07:34 AM

What year is it ? Is it a 123 or 124 ? Is it a US car?

Whether it's worth retrieving depends on how much it's going to cost to retrieve it. Of coarse, In Mexico, if the local Policia wants it, it's not worth it.

d.delano · #5 02-21-2007, 11:08 AM

sorry, no such thing as a 'biodiesel' 300
they were all Diesel or Turbodiesel only
you can buy the emblems online at Utah Biodiesel Supply
they were made to look original, enough to fool you

JimmyL · #6 02-21-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAF

Hi!! This is probably one of the wierdest posts I have made,

You've only had 2......

Find out the impound fee and get back to us. Oh, and you don't need to type out Biodiesel ever time you reference the wagon.
OK, I'm gonna go watch some electricity TV.....

MAF · #7 02-21-2007, 11:09 PM

I called the tow company today,384.00, plus 27.00 per day additional.
Sorry, it is a 1983,WDBA93A5DNO13678, it is a Turbo, and I am not astute enough to determine a 123 from a 996.
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! You know how to treat a guy.
Sincerely Mark

justinperkins · #8 02-21-2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Form your description, I would say it's not worth more than $600-800.

IMHO the biodiesel mark cut's it's value in half, ESPECIALLY from Boulder.

Make the shop owner pay the impound fee. You left the car in his care, it was his responsibility to fix it and return it to you in a better condition than he received it.

Are you serious? Because of some fuel lines that probably need to be replaced or because there is a risk (not a high risk unless it's brew your own) of poor fuel quality?

Icefire · #9 02-21-2007, 11:32 PM

Honestly I think the car is defintly worth retrieving, worth much more than that on ebay, atleast $1000 maybee more

Also its a W123, if your a DIY its a great car to play with, if not DIY old cars are not always the best answer, stuff will go wrong, thats just the way it is.

#10 02-21-2007, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Form your description, I would say it's not worth more than $600-800.

IMHO the biodiesel mark cut's it's value in half, ESPECIALLY from Boulder.

Make the shop owner pay the impound fee. You left the car in his care, it was his responsibility to fix it and return it to you in a better condition than he received it.

Providing that the vehicle owner pays the for the work done by the shop in full.

MAF · #11 02-22-2007, 12:06 AM

The transmission is bad, what is the best way to go there?What is the cost?
Boulder Colorado, is kind of like Mork transported a piece of Haight /Ashbury to Colorado.If I am not mistaken, they have had pump Biodiesel available - maybe even before this car was new.I am thinking,(and it is purely a guess), that this car has run on canola since new.I do most of my own stuff, mechanically,I would rather buy the tools , and do it myself.I am too anal to let inferior technicians half--- my cars.Nobody cares as much as you do about your car.When it came to the trans, (on this car), I felt woefully inadequate, and offered to pay in advance at the shop.I am going to go look at the car, and see if it is all still there.This motor sounds GOOD.I am nearly a diesel virgin, except for a 92 Dodge Cummings Turbo, and an 87 Ford LNT8000, with a 3208 Cat 300 HP Turbo.
Thank you , again.

#12 02-22-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

Are you serious? Because of some fuel lines that probably need to be replaced or because there is a risk (not a high risk unless it's brew your own) of poor fuel quality?

Yes, I am serious. Unless it's a kit or conversion made or installed by a reputable company, it's a big risk to the engine.

Boulder has it's own little "smug bubble" over the city. It's quickly becoming like San Francisco where people are just throwing in a heated filter and calling it a biodiesel "conversion" to follow the crowd and look "clean". The city has even been considering repainting parking spaces closer together to force Boulderites to drive smaller cars. There are some great people there, Tom J for example. However, most have absolutely no clue what they are doing and just follow the biodiesel/WVO fad.

justinperkins · #13 02-22-2007, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Yes, I am serious. Unless it's a kit or conversion made or installed by a reputable company, it's a big risk to the engine.

Boulder has it's own little "smug bubble" over the city. It's quickly becoming like San Francisco where people are just throwing in a heated filter and calling it a biodiesel "conversion" to follow the crowd and look "clean". The city has even been considering repainting parking spaces closer together to force Boulderites to drive smaller cars. There are some great people there, Tom J for example. However, most have absolutely no clue what they are doing and just follow the biodiesel/WVO fad.

To me, biodiesel doesn't automatically mean the car was converted or run on VO at any time. Not sure why you are mixing the two as if they are one and the same.